“We have our own rooms?”
“Of course.” This house was huge. Of course they did.
Connor caught his arm. “I’m going to the bathroom and then I’ll unpack the boys’ pajamas.” He got a quick kiss. “Love you.”
“I love you.” He carried the bags upstairs. “Come pick your rooms, and then we’ll make you some food, okay?”
“Daddy! We’re out of school! I gotted an a hundred in art class!”
“And I won a ribbon for PE!”
“And I grew out of my shoes!”
“I brought my pillows and blanket!”
Early listened, letting the blessed chaos pour over him. Good. This was all good.
Connor disappeared for a bit while they picked rooms, and even though he looked tired, he was smiling when he joined them in the kitchen. “I can hear you hooligans from our bedroom,” Connor joked, slipping an arm around his waist. “The bedroom looks incredible, honey.”
“Thank you, darlin’. I wanted it to be perfect.” He leaned over, whispering low. “The hot tub is ready.”
That got him a warm smile and another, hotter kiss. “It’s all perfect.”
“Ugh. I told you they’d be all kissy.” Jaxson rolled his eyes, and Jayden just chuckled, mouth full of sandwich.
“I haven’t seen him in weeks, and I love him!” He covered Connor’s face with smacking kisses.
“Eeeeew!”
“Daddy, gross!”
Connor laughed and shoved him playfully. “Wine, honey. Where’s the wine?”
“Ooh… I have a surprise for you about that, but I have a bottle open.” God, they were home. His man, his boys—this was heaven on earth.
“You have a wine surprise?”
He pulled a glass down and filled it, Connor watching his every move.
“I do. This house is filled with surprises, and I’m finding them all.”
Jaxson pushed his plate away. “I’m full, Daddy.”
“I’m ready to sleep in my bed, it’s so big.” Jayden looked pleased.
“Do y’all need showers?” He went to them, because he’d missed them bad as anything. “If not, go brush your teeth, and I’ll come tuck you in.”
“They’re just going to get filthy in the morning. Just teeth is okay, guys. Everything is out on your beds.”
“Okay!” They headed upstairs, no run left in them. His boys were tired now.
Connor sighed. “That was quite a trip.”
“I’m sorry, darlin’. You know I wouldn’t have missed last week, if things hadn’t turned cattywhompus.” The wreck had scared both his folks and him, if he was honest.
“You had to be here. I understand. Heck, if you’d been in Denver, I probably would have sent you here anyway. Mommama’s tough, but your dad probably was down for the count with that rib.” Connor winked at him.
“Yeah. He isgrumpy. Are you hungry? I have good bread and fancy cheese and mustard…”